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Future of the Congo River Rapids

Benjsh

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Couldn't find a thread dedicated specifically to the Rapids so apologies if I missed it.

Anyway here goes......obviously with the removal of the Flume a lot is now resting on the Rapids to fill the void as it were. However on my two visits to the park this year I think it's looked in the worst state I have ever seen it in. The experience just isn't there anymore. Most of the effects are either broken or simply turned off to save cash, especially the iconic Waterfall section. The state of the trough is an absolute joke too.

Once upon a time this used to be one of the best examples of a Rapids ride found anywhere in the world but today it's one of the poorest for me. Letting the Flume go was sad to see but I think we can all agree that it probably was the right time. However with this decision it's even more important now that the Rapids gets a new lease of life and soon. I seriously hope the TLC team have the Rapids high up on the agenda, assuming of course they are going to carry on with their recent great work. It needs a good amount spending on it to bring back into an acceptable state.
 
I love the rapids, but agree that it is in a sorry state. I don't think a TLC budget would be significant enough to do anything meaningful.

I believe the waterfalls were turned off as part of an overeaction to the accident at Drayton Manor rather than to save money.

Personally, I would like 2 things more than anything else at AT. A new log flume and a rapids upgrade and clean up to make it the world class attraction that it can be.

Unfortunately, I'm doubtfull that we will get either.
 
I love the rapids, but agree that it is in a sorry state. I don't think a TLC budget would be significant enough to do anything meaningful.

I believe the waterfalls were turned off as part of an overeaction to the accident at Drayton Manor rather than to save money.

Personally, I would like 2 things more than anything else at AT. A new log flume and a rapids upgrade and clean up to make it the world class attraction that it can be.

Unfortunately, I'm doubtfull that we will get either.

I think a new Log Flume is definitely a no go. They take up a good chunk of space, they aren't really cutting edge anymore and when the weather isn't good (quite often in the UK) they aren't all that popular.

Maybe a Mack Splash ride like Pulsar would be a better more modern approach. Not a log flume granted but thrilling and also gets you wet.

Some sort of Rapids refresh is surely going to happen soon though. Or am I being optimistic? It's an absolute wreck right now and a real eye sore.
 
You can't say Log Flumes aren't popular when the weather is poor and then suggest a ride that appears to be a darn site more wet than a standard Flume...

Besides, Chiapas exists, just build a variant of that and Towers would be sorted...
 
You can't say Log Flumes aren't popular when the weather is poor and then suggest a ride that appears to be a darn site more wet than a standard Flume...

Besides, Chiapas exists, just build a variant of that and Towers would be sorted...

That wasn't my point. Space and the popularity of log flumes was the main issue not the weather. The weather clearly doesn't help though in the UK so maybe they won't bother with a new one at all. Who knows!

Those new Mack splash rides would take up far less space, be far more marketable and also more appealing to the GP. Can't see a Log Flume bringing in the crowds or being put on an advert in today's current market.
 
Funny that someone has created this thread, I was gonna make a thread about the future of KC.

I love the Congo River Rapids but with it's new neighbour next door, it now being the only major water ride and the waterfall turned off, it suddenly feels different to what it was say from pre WM construction/Splash incident.

KC is the only area of the park which hasn't had it's lineup change since Merlin ownership. I could see Merlin having plans for a semi-retheme of the area similar of that to Tiger Rock and it's done to the standard of Wicker Man and Tiger Rock, I'd be happy for them to redo the area. Heck, they could add new effects to the rapids. But I wouldn't want Merlin ripping up all of KC's theming either.

Also, I'd like to see a new ride in KC, Either it be another water ride or family flat but realistically there isn't any space to put one.
 
A lot of modern flumes let you adjust the water level in the drops to change how much splash there is and how wet you get.

But Alton would never get a new one, they won't fork out for the modern filtration systems new water rides need.
 
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Maybe a Mack Splash ride like Pulsar would be a better more modern approach. Not a log flume granted but thrilling and also gets you wet.
You mean a Mack PowerSplash. ;)
I would love to see one of those in the UK. :)
 
Personally, I'd rather have a new log flume than a Mack Powersplash any day. It would have to be bigger than the old one, which was the biggest in the world when first constructed so it would not be cheap.

A good log flume should give a decent length of ride, traverse an actual journey, have three plus drops of varying degrees, and create fun through the uncertainty of getting wet or not. Theming is a bonus, but is less necessary at Alton due to the stunning setting.

Of course the only way we will get one is if Merlin can come up with a "compelling USP".

Of course there is that mysterious world's first water ride that John Wardley said he had designed?
 
Re: Mack PowerSplash - Pulsar is absolutely massive (45m tall to be precise), Towers would never get permission for something on that scale even if they wanted to build one. I think Pulsar was built in an existing lake without water treatment, though you'd never get away with that over here.

As for the rapids, all it really need is a good clean up, re-furb and a few extra boats to bring capacity back to what it should be.
 
If were talking about redoing Katanga to the standard of Tiger Rock are we expecting to see long straight, themeless fences everywhere alongside shoddy theming and the merlin tick box centrepiece?

I'd rather Katanga was left alone.
 
If were talking about redoing Katanga to the standard of Tiger Rock are we expecting to see long straight, themeless fences everywhere alongside shoddy theming and the merlin tick box centrepiece?
To be fair, Tiger Rock's station is fantastic and right up Chessington's street, not the usual Merlin style. The rest is exactly how you describe - all to do with Merlin's agenda and how they budget/contract projects as usual.

Katanga Canyon is mostly good as is. It could do with a reinvention and it's theme is not particularly special, but it's just a solid area. Refresh the paintwork, restore effects on the rapids, remove the clutter, like that huge game stall in front of Runaway's old facade, and even that would make a good difference to the area.

There are other areas in bigger need of work in the park really.
 
I can't see any new water rides being added to the park, the UK is just too cold most of the time to justify them and they take up loads of space. I'm sure I heard plans to add doors to the boats (?) so probably that's all they'll do, then maybe they'll be more confident to turn some of the water features back on too.
 
I think there will be a new water ride added to the line up. I also think it will be sooner rather than later.

Why? Because the reaction to the flume going will have been seen by towers as a great marketing scheme for their next ride.

If we don't see a new water ride (along the lines of Valhalla) by 2022 I will eat my hat
 
Probably deserves its own topic, rather than polluting the rapids topic, but where would you even put a new water ride?

As for the rapids, they are great for all the family and the kind of rides suitable for all ages - grandparents to grand kids. TLC style renovation could freshen up the rapids and add some new effects and scenery. I don't even care if the water doesn't hit the boat (sensors to switch them off just before you get hit, in fact I'd rather stay at least dryish) but something is needed to spice the ride up.
 
Problem is, there is only so much that can be done to make rapids rides safer. You can put new signage/announcements alright, but you can't really add seat belts or anything like that.
 
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